Under the tamarind tree

Imli Sarai is a restaurant in Hyderabad with beautiful open-air ambience and seating arrangements under the shade of two old tamarind trees

Sarai means a traveller’s lodge, a place to slow down and catch a breath. When Zain Rahimtula and his wife Rama Rahimtula wanted to start a restaurant, they wanted to offer an ambience that spells calm. Everyone in their home and friends would always head to sit under the shade of two old tamarind trees on their property. Hence, they decided their restaurant would be under the trees and it would be called Imli Sarai.

Rightly so, Imli Sarai at Ashiana Function Hall in Banjara Hills is able to get its diners’ attention right from the word go. The open-air seating arrangement is like lounging on someone’s lawn. It’s simple with cushioned wrought iron chairs and tables in white with garden umbrellas for shade. Upon seeing the cover the tamarind trees provide, most diners do not even bother checking out the indoor seating. 

Zain is a trained chef who was sure he would serve what he is best trained at–modern European and Indian food in a bistro setting. Imli Sarai is his first project as a restaurateur. The menu curated by Zain is simple. It mostly lists Italian food. Entree options are limited. No finger foods, no fried stuff. The option is between a kale salad with chickpeas, crumbled feta and toasted seeds with a tahini lemon dressing. The other option is a Nicoise-style composed salad with a topping of: classic tuna, duck confit and avocado fan. 

Zain did his Bachelors Degree in Development Studies and joined Swaraj University, after which he developed an interest in cuisine and ecology along with development/social issues. “My main interest is in cuisine and its import vis a vis terroir- the local culture and ecology. How can we invent and encourage a cuisine that supports the earth and the people/communities living in various ecologies? What is the cuisine of the future- one that is balanced, sustainable and delicious?” 

Having trained and worked with Chef Ritu Dalmia, Zain is particular about how the food at his restaurant is accepted by diners. His staff explains diners’ selection before proceeding to place an order. 

The main course selection at the restaurant is well thought out and isn’t a collection of dishes from all sorts of cuisines. It is a choice between duck, lamb, sea fish and lamb cheeseburger. Vegetarians have the option to choose between fettuccine pasta, black bean and feta burger and a choice of pizza. 

There is a pasta section as well.